Effects from oil spills can quickly devastate the marine environment. (Ten minutes after a spill of one ton of oil, it can spread to a radius of 50 meters, forming an oil slick 10 millimeters thick.)

Conclusion

Humans depend on the marine environment for many things, and we have a very large impact on it. If we want to continue to depend on the marine environment, we have to do a better job of controlling our use of it.

Seafarers play a critical role, as they earn their living from the sea and can set an example for each other and for the rest of the world.